Maryland confirms five new measles cases linked to recent travel

The Maryland Department of Health announced five additional measles cases among central Maryland residents who had recently traveled out of state. The exposure occurred in the Carroll Hospital Center Emergency Department waiting room on July 13, 2026, between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. These new infections raise the state's 2026 total to nine cases, adding to three cases reported in 2025, one in 2024 and one in 2023.

Measles spreads through airborne particles and can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. Symptoms typically appear 7‑21 days after exposure and include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash that starts on the face. Health officials advise anyone who was present at the exposure site and is not fully vaccinated with two doses of the MMR vaccine to monitor for symptoms and seek medical guidance. The department reiterates the importance of up‑to‑date MMR vaccination for all eligible residents.